After family reunification, you may be able to get your own residence permit
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Did you come to the Netherlands because a family member applied for family reunification on your behalf? If so, you will not be granted an independent residence permit, but a residence permit linked to that of your family member. You can apply for your own permit. You can read more about this in this article.
With family reunification, you get a dependent residence permit
If you come to the Netherlands via family reunification, you will first be granted a dependent asylum residence permit. This is also known as a 'afgeleide verblijfsvergunning asiel' (derived asylum residence permit). This permit is linked to the family member with whom you are going to live.
Would you like to apply for an independent asylum residence permit at a later date? If so, you will need to apply for this yourself via the
Below you will read the difference between the 2 types of asylum residence permit:
A derived asylum residence permit
A dependent residence permit is based on your relative's residence permit in the Netherlands. How long your residence permit is valid depends on how long your family member's residence permit is valid. The permit is in your family member's name.
An independent asylum residence permit
An independent residence permit means that you have applied for asylum in the Netherlands yourself. And that you have been granted an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands. The residence permit is in your name.
With a derived permit, you depend on your family member in the Netherlands
An independent residence permit remains valid for three years. If it is about to expire, you can apply to the IND to have it extended. With a derived permit, you cannot do this yourself.
The IND may revoke your dependent residence permit if your relationship with your family member ends, for example because your family member dies. Or because you and your partner separate. If the IND revokes your family member's permit, there is a good chance that the IND will also revoke your dependent residence permit.
You can apply for an independent asylum residence permit from the IND
Do you have a dependent residence permit but would like to apply for your own? You can still apply for an independent residence permit. You can do this by applying for asylum yourself with the IND. The IND will then assess whether you are entitled to an independent asylum residence permit. You can only do this if you are already in the Netherlands.